While farmers have been planting in fits and starts in pockets of FCSAmerica’s territory, the growing season is expected to start in earnest this week. Across the region, farmers are looking at several days of warm, dry weather.

Rancher Shawn Freeland doesn’t look to the USDA’s livestock disaster assistance program to restore his herd following last October’s blizzard. Only time – and extraordinary acts of kindness – will help him weather his cattle losses.